1. Garmer & Prather, PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, school bus accidents, charter bus accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck crashes, product liability involving commercial vehicles
Case Types Handled: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, cargo liability claims, underride accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, multi-vehicle truck collisions, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks, intersection accidents involving trucks
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation in state and federal courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, underinsured motorist coverage claims, shipper and broker liability investigation, vehicle manufacturer liability investigation
Background: Jerome P. Prather is a Kentucky Super Lawyer and district vice president of the Kentucky Justice Association. He teaches medical liability at the University of Kentucky College of Law. The firm is a Tier 1 Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms. Firm founder Bill Garmer was a member of the UK College of Law Hall of Fame and served as president of the Kentucky Bar Association. The firm has obtained verdicts and settlements totaling more than $100 million since 2009.
Location: 151 N Eagle Creek Dr, Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40509
Contact: (859) 254-9351 | https://www.garmerprather.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee basis with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
2. Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer
Practice Focus: Commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, trucking company negligence
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has multiple attorneys licensed in Kentucky with extensive experience in trucking litigation. Partners include McKinnley Morgan, Roy Collins, Dan Yeast, and Kyle Salyer. The firm has over 800 client reviews and operates multiple offices throughout Kentucky.
Location: 151 N Eagle Creek Dr, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40509
Contact: (877) 809-5352 | https://www.kentuckycourage.com/
Consultation: Free legal consultation. Contingency fee arrangement available. The firm does not charge attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
3. Wilson & McQueen, PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, no-zone truck accidents, truck driver error negligence, trucking company negligence, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Truck driver error accidents, truck defect malfunction accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, trucking company negligence cases, truck collisions, rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway defects
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation in state courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Timothy J. Wilson and Albert B. McQueen, Jr. are the founding partners, each with more than four decades of legal experience. The firm provides personalized attention to each client and has a reputation for achieving results in personal injury cases. Additional attorneys include Michael Thomas Kunjoo, Caitlin McQueen Tubbesing, and McKay Friley.
Location: 309 N Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508
Contact: (859) 710-8771 | https://www.wmkylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm offers contingency fee arrangements.
4. Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, Amazon truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, overload truck accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo securement failure accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery
Background: Gary C. Johnson served as Pike County Attorney for 18 years and Kentucky State Senator for four years. In 2008, he was awarded the Kentucky Justice Association’s annual Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award. Anita Johnson was admitted to practice law in Kentucky in 1986 and serves as managing partner. The firm has over 40 years of experience representing truck accident victims.
Location: 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40509
Contact: (800) 337-4002 | https://www.garycjohnson.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
5. Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, big rig accidents, moving van accidents, delivery van accidents, flatbed truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, equipment failure accidents, driver error accidents, driver fatigue accidents, substance abuse accidents, improper cargo weight distribution accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm has recovered over a billion dollars for clients across various practice areas. The attorneys have significant experience in trucking litigation and understanding of FMCSA regulations. The firm handles cases throughout Kentucky and has been helping personal injury victims for decades.
Location: 325 West Main Street, Suite 210, Lexington, KY 40507
Contact: (859) 550-2900 | https://www.mvmlaw.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee arrangement with no upfront costs.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Kentucky
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Kentucky follows the Motor Vehicle Reparations Act, which provides a two-year filing deadline for truck accident personal injury claims. The two-year period begins from the date of the accident or from the date of the last Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance payment, whichever occurs later. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is one year from the date of death or when the personal representative is appointed.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident.
Insurance System: Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” insurance state, one of only three such states in the United States. Drivers can opt out of the no-fault system in writing. Under the default no-fault system, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault.
No-Fault Threshold Requirements: To step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim against an at-fault driver, the injured party must meet one of the following criteria: medical expenses exceeding $1,000, a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or death.
Comparative Negligence Rule: Kentucky follows a pure comparative negligence system under KRS 411.182. This means an injured party can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. However, the compensation is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the plaintiff is 30% at fault, they can recover $70,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Kentucky law requires drivers to carry liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage (or $60,000 combined single limit). Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 is required unless rejected in writing. Uninsured motorist coverage is also required unless rejected in writing.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating interstate must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must carry up to $5 million in coverage, depending on the type of hazardous materials transported.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Kentucky courts apply Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations in truck accident litigation. The state has adopted large portions of the FMCSA rules into state law. These regulations govern hours of service for truckers, driver training requirements, mandatory liability insurance, maximum weight and load size, truck inspections, and safe transportation of hazardous materials.
Vicarious Liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent actions of their employee drivers while acting within the scope of employment.
Punitive Damages: Kentucky allows punitive damages in truck accident cases involving egregious conduct. Kentucky does not impose a statutory cap on punitive damages.
Damage Caps: Kentucky does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Kentucky?
A1: Under Kentucky’s Motor Vehicle Reparations Act, you have two years to file a truck accident personal injury lawsuit. The clock begins on the date of the accident or the date of your last Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance payment, whichever is later. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is one year from when the personal representative of the estate is appointed. Missing these deadlines typically bars you from pursuing compensation, so consulting with an attorney promptly after a truck accident is essential.
Q2: How does Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident claim?
A2: Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence rule, established under KRS 411.182, allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the truck accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are awarded $200,000 but found to be 20% responsible for the accident, you would receive $160,000. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault, Kentucky permits recovery even if you are 99% responsible, though your award would be minimal in such cases.
Q3: What is Kentucky’s no-fault insurance system, and can I still sue a truck driver who caused my injuries?
A3: Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state where drivers must be offered Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim against the at-fault truck driver if your injuries meet certain thresholds: medical expenses exceeding $1,000, a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or death. Alternatively, you can opt out of the no-fault system entirely when purchasing your insurance policy, which allows you to sue other drivers without restriction but also opens you to unrestricted lawsuits if you cause an accident.
Q4: Which parties can be held liable in a Kentucky truck accident case?
A4: Kentucky truck accident cases can involve multiple liable parties. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies are often held liable for their employee drivers’ negligence. Other potentially liable parties include the truck driver personally, cargo loading companies if improper loading caused the accident, maintenance or repair companies if mechanical failure contributed to the crash, truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment was involved, and shippers or brokers in certain circumstances. An experienced truck accident attorney will investigate to identify all responsible parties and available insurance coverage.
Q5: Are there damage caps in Kentucky truck accident cases?
A5: Kentucky does not impose statutory caps on economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) in personal injury or truck accident cases. Additionally, Kentucky does not cap punitive damages, which may be awarded in cases involving particularly egregious conduct by the truck driver or trucking company. This means that truck accident victims in Kentucky can pursue full compensation for all their losses without arbitrary limits imposed by state law.